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From the Trièves and the shores of Lake Monteynard-Avignonet, you can spot the Matheysine territory’s landscape relief. The Diois region can be reached by climbing the Col de Menée. The majestic Dévoluy overlooks the Hautes Alpes, and all this just a few kilometres from Grenoble!
The Diois
On the other side of the Col de Menée above Chichilianne, you enter the Drôme and the Pays Diois. This is the land of Clairette sparkling wine! From southern Vercors to Drôme Provençale, the Diois region offers lots of charm.
Enjoy the medieval village of Châtillon-en-Diois, a canoe trip on the Drôme river, Die market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, walks in the vineyards or lavender fields. Closer to the Trièves past Lus-la-Croix Haute, discover the beautiful Vallon de la Jarjatte and its impressive sharp pinnacles!
The Matheysine
From the Pont de Ponsonnas after the village of Saint Jean d’Hérans, you are in Matheysine territory which extends to the Ecrins. Don’t miss the Petit Train de La Mure which used to carry the anthracite produced on the Matheysine plateau to Grenoble and which today offers you a stunning tourist ride overlooking Lake Monteynard-Avignonet.
The Prairie de la Rencontre in Laffrey is the place where Napoleon encountered the royal troops on his way back to Paris after his escape from Elba. The sanctuary of La Salette above Corps is a major religious site.
The lakes of Laffrey, Petitchet and Sautet offer beautiful bathing spots. At the Gillardes springs be amazed by the geological mystery of how the cool, clear fresh water springs directly out of the rocks!
The Dévoluy
The Trièves shares the iconic summit of Obiou with the Dévoluy region.
The Dévoluy is located in the Hautes Alpes department, renowned for its sunshine, ski resorts (Superdévoluy, La Joue du Loup), mountain trail races and white water rafting on the rivers flowing from the Ecrins!
Don’t miss the Gicons chapel, also known as ‘Mère Eglise’, classified as a historical monument. Dating from the 11th century and perched on the side of the mountain, this stone religious building dominates La Souloise.
La Fontaine Ardente, one of the seven wonders of the Dauphiné
A fire that burns continuously, without ever going out? La Fontaine Ardente, Wonder of the Dauphiné, situated on the edge of a stream, permanently “spits” flames… in the middle of the water! How can a flame burn in water without ever going out?
Local legend has it that it was the work of the Devil, so the inhabitants of the region feared this place.
The more rational scientific explanation is that an underground pocket of methane releases gas into the air. This gas ignites spontaneously and allows the flames to be fed constantly.
Does La Fontaine Ardente really never go out? Actually, yes it does. In fact, the flames may not be alight when you arrive, often because a gust of wind has blown them out. All you need is some paper and a match to light La Fontaine Ardente again!
La Fontaine Ardente is located at the bottom of a ravine, below the hamlet of La Pierre, between Saint-Barthélemy and Miribel-Lanchâtre.
